Closure



c. s. LOUDENSLAGER, 48R" El AL CLOSURE Filed March 17, 1934 PatentedDec. 22, 1936 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE Application March 17,1934, Serial No. 716,180

12 Claims.

This invention relates to closures. It applies especially to containersof the collapsible type wherein a squeezing process is resorted to inorder to discharge the contents. At this time various types of suchcontainers are extensively used in the vending of tooth paste, shavingcreams, lotions, etc.

Today these containers are usually closed with what is known as a screwcap. In order to remove the cap it must be unscrewed. To close thecontainer it must be screwed back on. Trouble, inconvenience andannoyance result when it is misplaced.

Many types of closing devices have been made with the thought ofautomatically opening and closing the discharging end of the container.A survey of the closure field reveals the fact, however, that today noneare being used to any extent. Apparently these devices are either im- 20practical or else their construction does not pernit economicalmanufacture.

This invention is designed to eliminate the disadvantages experiencedwith devices heretofore produced and bring the art to a higher state ofperfection. It has been conceived with the desire to provide anautomatic closing device that is simple in; design, strong inconstruction, positive in action and cheap in manufacture.

It is also intended to provide an automatic closing device that can bereadily used as an integral part of the container or as a separate unitWithout departing from the design or construction.

The invention comprehends such construction that the finished productreveals but few simple parts that can be readily made and assembled bymachinery now in use.

The concept of the invention provides for an automatically operativeclosing device having the outward appearance of a paraboloid.

The concept embodied in this invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawing which forms a part of this application.

Figure 1: This is a sectional elevation showing the neck constructed asa separate unit from the container.

Figure 2: This is asectional elevation illustrating the movable sleeveor core with the conoid top, the upper, protruding sealing lip at therim of the conoid and the lower spring support flange.

Figure 3: This is a plan view of an alternate flange construction of thelower spring support at the base of the movable sleeve or core.

Figure 4: This is asectional elevation illustrating the truncatedhousing and sealing member, including the upper spring-retainingshoulder, the aperture sealing mass and the sealing lip at the upperextremity of the member.

Figure 5: This is a side elevation, partly in section, revealing thedevice assembled in its normal 5 closed position.

Figure 6: This is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating thecooperative action of the outer sealing function.

Figure '7: This is a sectional elevation showing the neck constructed asan integral part of the container.

Referring to the numerals on the accompanying drawing, number 3 denotesthe neck which has a shoulder 2 designed at its base, the same beingdesigned to be a separable part of the container I.

Number 4 indicates a sliding sleeve, open at the bottom end and mountedaround the neck 3, above the shoulder 2. Features embodied in 20 thesliding sleeve 4 comprise a conoid top [3 with its bottom edge being asealing lip 5, a flange 6, located at its bottom end and a dischargeorifice I located in the side wall beneath the sealing lip 5. 25

Number 12 denotes a truncated paraboloid which features an internalshoulder I0, an orifice sealing mass 9 and a sealing rim 8, the Wholecomprising the upper portion thereof. By structural design the entirelower portion becomes the spring housing compartment l5. By means ofthreads or annular grooves it is attached at its bottom end to theshoulder 2 located at the base of the neck 3.

Number 14 denotes a coil spring which is mounted around the slidingsleeve 4 and is retained in position by having its lower end restingupon the flange 6 and its upper end engaging the internal shoulder I0.

In dispensing, pressure is applied to the container l, forcing thecontents upward through the neck 3. When the pressure has increasedsufiiciently to overcome the expansive force of the spring M, thesliding sleeve 4 is forced upward, breaking the outer seal by separatingthe sealing lip 5 from the sealing rim 8. As the upward movementcontinues, the discharge orifice is exposed to view after having passedthe orifice sealing mass 9, thus permitting the contents to be expelled.Immediately upon the cessation of pressure upon the container I, thespring M, which by the operation has been compressed between theinternal shoulder ll] of the housing and sealing unit l2 and the flange6 at the base of the sliding sleeve 4, exerts its expansive energy andcompletely reverses the discharging operation by forcing the slidingsleeve 4 to its lowermost position and by so doing automatically closesthe device.

We claim:

1. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the like,comprising in'combination a cylindrical neck having a shoulder at itsbase, a cylindrical, sliding sleeve suspended around said neck, abovesaid shoulder, in such a manner that it may reciprocate thereon, andhaving an open lower end and a closed upper end, an orifice in the sidewall, adjacent the upper end, said orifice being closed by a memberforming a part of said closing device when the said sliding sleeve is inits lowermost position and open when it is in its uppermost position,means for iimiting the lowermost position of said sliding sleeve, a coilcompression spring mounted in surrounding relation to said sleeve andhaving its lower end abutting a flange extending outwardly on the lowerend of said s1id ing sleeve, a cylindrical housing member mounted onsaidshoulder of said neck in spaced rela tion; to the outer periphery ofsaid compression spring, and having an internal flange at its upper endcontacting and retaining the upper end of said compression spring, saidcompression spring thus restricted being adapted to normally maintainsaid sliding sleeve in its lowermost position, all the parts of saidclosing device being combine-d as a separate unit which is attached tothe neck of said container.

2. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the like,comprising in combination a neck with an inlet and an outlet, a shoulderforming its base, a sliding sleeve suspended around said neck above saidshoulder, said sleeve having an open lower end and an upper end closedby a bullet like top, the lower edge of said top having a lip extendingoutward beyond the side wall providing the means of suspending saidsleeve at its lowermost position, an orifice in the side wall adjacentthe top of said sleeve, a coil spring mounted around said sleeve, itslower end abutting a fiange extending outwardly on the lower end of saidsleeve, a housing unit mounted on said shoulderat the bottom'of saidneck in spaced relation to the outer periphery of .said spring, havingan internal shoulder at its upper end engaging the upper end of saidspring, said spring being thus adapted to normally maintain said orificein said sleeve in its normal closed position by maintaining said sleevein its lowermost position, all the parts of said closing device beingcombined as a separate unit, attachable to the neck of said container.

3. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the like,comprising in combination a cylindrical-member having an external, rightangled shoulder at its base, an outlet neck extending upward, beyondsaid shoulder, a tubular member having an open lower end, an orifice inthe side wall at the top, its upper end being closed by a bullet shapedcap, the lower edge of said cap projecting outward beyond the side wallproviding limiting means for slidably suspending said member at itslowermost position around said outlet neck on said cylindrical member, a

coil spring mounted in surrounding relation to said tubular member, itslower end positioned on a flange extending outward on the lower end ofsaid tubular'member, a sealing member mounted on said shoulder at thebase'of said cylindrical member in spaced relation to the outerperiphery of said coil spring, said sealing member having an internalshoulder at its upper end which engages the upper end of said coilspring and adapting it to maintain said tubular member in its normallyclosed position, which places said orifice beneath the rim of and withinthe confines of the wall of said internal shoulder of said sealingmember, all the parts of said closing device being combined as aseparate unit which is attached to the neck of said container.

4. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the like,comprising in combination a tubular neck with a shoulder extendinoutward at right angles in a circular manner forming its base, and beingchanneled square in section, in a circular manner on its under side, anoutlet neck extending upward beyond said shoulder, a tubular sleeve openat the bottom, an aperture in the side wall at the top, its upper endclosed by a conical formation, the lower rim of which protrudeslater-ally beyondthe side wall providing means of suspending said sleeveat its lowermost position around said neck, a coil spring mounted insurrounding relation to said sleeve, the lower end being supported by anexternal flange at the bottom of said sleeve, a housing and sealingelement mounted on said shoulder forming the base of said neck, inspaced relation to the outer periphery of said spring, its lower portionbeing designed to house said spring and its upper end having an offsetportion adapted to engage the upper end of said spring and to close saidaperture when said sleeve is in its lowermost position, all of the partsbeing combined to form a separate unit attachable to the neck of saidcontainer. a v

5. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the like,comprising in combination a neck having a right angled shoulder formingits base and being recessed on its under side, thus adapted to beattached to the neck of said container, an outlet neck extending upwardbeyond said shoulder, a sliding sleeve, cylindrical in form, suspendedaround said neck, having an open lower end, the top being closed by aconoidal formation, the lower rim of which extends outward beyond theside wall, an orifice in the side wall adjacent said top, a coil springmounted around said sleeve, its lower end abutting a flange extendingoutward around thebottom of said sleeve, a housing and sealing unitmounted on said shoulder of said neck, its upper portion having anextension adapted to contact the upper end of said spring and to closesaid orifice by cooperating with the side wall of said sleeve, when saidspring has returned said sleeve to its lowermost position, all the partsof said device being combined as a separate unit to be attached to theneck of said container.

6. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the likecomprising in combination a hollow, cylindrical housing and sealingmember, the same being a truncated paraboloid, having an internal, rightangled shoulder in its upper. portion, the inner wall extending upwardand, due to its formation, terminating in a narrow rim, a core, open atthe bottom, closed at the top by a conoidal formation, slidablysuspended at its lowermost position by means of a protruding lipextending beyond the side wall at the base of said conoidal formation atthe top of said core, said protruding lip engaging the rim of saidhousing and sealing member, a coil spring mounted in surroundingrelation to said core, its lower end positioned on an external, rightangled shoulder at the lower end of said core, its upper end beingengaged by said internal shoulder in the upper portion of said housingand sealing member, said core having an aperture through the side walladjacent the top, a neck member, open at the bottom end having anexternal, right angled shoulder forming its base which is recessed onits under side and a tubular outlet nozzle extending upward beyond saidshoulder, the said housing and sealing member with the said coreslidably suspended within being mounted on said shoulder forming thebase of said neck, said core being so dimensioned as to permit it to beslidably suspended on said outlet neck above said shoulder, and movableupwardly when pressure is applied to said container, permitting saidaperture in said core to rise above the rim or" said housing and sealingmember and allow contents of said container to be discharged, saidspring by virtue of its retaining agencies, automatically returning saidcore to its lowermost position, closing said device by disposing saidaperture beneath the rim of and within the side wall of said housing27nd sealing member and forcing contact of said protruding lip at thetop of said core with the rim of said housing and sealing member, allthe parts of said device being combined to form a separate unit which isattachable to said container.

7. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the like,comprising in combination a container having an elongated outlet neckwith an external shoulder extending circularly at right angles aroundits base, a truncated housing member open at both ends and having aninternal shoulder formation adjacent its upper end, a hollow core,cylindrical in form, open at the lower end, an aperture through the sidewall adjacent the top, the top being closed by a conoidal formation andslidably suspended at its lowermost position within said truncatedhousing member by means of a protruding lip extending beyond the sidewall at the base of said conoidal formation at the top of said core,said protruding lip engaging the upper rim of said truncated housingmember, a coil spring mounted in surrounding relation to said core, itslower end abutting a right angled flange extending circularly around thebottom end of said core, its upper end contacting said internalshoulder, the said truncated housing member with said core suspendedwithin being mounted on said shoulder at the base of said elongated neckof said container, said core being reciprocally suspended around saidelongated neck and movable upwardly when pressure is applied to saidcontainer forcing said aperture in said core to rise above the rim ofsaid truncated housing member and allow contents of said container to bedischarged, said spring by virtue of its retaining agencies,automatically returning said core to its lowermost position, closingsaid device by retracting said aperture beneath the rim of saidtruncated housing member and forcing contact of said protruding lip atthe top of said core with the upper rim of said truncated housingmember, all of the parts of said device being combined to form anintegral part of said container.

8. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the like,comprising in combination a cylindrical shell having an internalshoulder formation at the top, a sliding sleeve, open at the bottom, anaperture in the side wall adjacent the top, said sleeve being suspendedwithin said shell by means of a circumferentially protruding lip nearthe top of said sleeve above said aperture, a coil spring mounted insurrounding relation to said sleeve, its lower end resting on a flangeextending outward at the bottom of said sleeve and its upper end engagedby the internal shoulder of said cylindrical shell, said spring therebyenabled to normally maintain said sleeve in its lowermost position insaid shell, said aperture being closed by said shoulder formation ofsaid cylindrical shell when said sleeve is in its lowermost position,all the parts of said closing device being combined as a separate unitwhich is attached to said container.

9. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the like,comprising in combination a cylindrical housing and sealing member,having an internal shoulder and sealing formation at its upper end, asliding sleeve, open at the bottom, an orifice in the side wall at thetop, the top closed by a conoidal formation, said sliding sleeve beingreciprocally suspended within said housing and sealing member at itslowermost position by a circumferential flange protruding outward beyondthe side wall of said sliding sleeve near its upper end above saidorifice, a coil spring mounted in surrounding relation to said slidingsleeve, its lower end abutting an external shoulder extending at rightangles circularly around the bottom of said sliding sleeve, its upperend engaging the said internal shoulder of said housing and sealingmember, said spring thereby being adapted to normally maintain saidsliding sleeve in its lowermost position and the said orifice beingthereby disposed beneath the rim of said sealing formation of saidhousing and sealing member, said sliding sleeve being movable upwardwhen pressure is applied to said container, to dispose said orificeabove the rim of said housing and sealing member to discharge contentsof said container, said spring being adapted to return said slidingsleeve to its lowermost position which normally closes said device, allthe parts of said device being combined as a separate unit which isattached to the neck of said container. 4

10. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the like,comprising in combination a cylindrical housing and sealing member, samebeing a truncated paraboloid and having an internal flange reachinginward at right angles, its inner edge extending upward, terminating ina rim, a sliding sleeve, open at the bottom, closed at the top,suspended within said housing and sealing member by means of acircumferentially protruding lip near the top of said sliding sleeveengaging said rim at the top of said housing and sealing member, anorifice in the side wall of said sliding sleeve beneath said protrudinglip, said orifice being normally disposed beneath the said rim at thetop of said housing and sealing member when said sliding sleeve issuspended therein at its lowermost position, a coil spring mounted insurrounding relation to said sliding sleeve, its lower end beingretained by a right angled flange extending circularly around the lowerend of said sliding sleeve, its upper end abutting the internal flangeof the said housing and sealing member, said sliding sleeve beingmovable upward to dispose said orifice above the said rim at the top ofsaid housing and sealing member to permit contents of said container todischarge through said orifice when pressure is applied to saidcontainer, and said spring being adapted to return said sliding sleeveto its normal suspended position, closing the device on the outside bythe said rim at the top of the said housing and sealing member makingcontact with the said protruding lip at the top of said sliding sleeve,all the parts of the said closing device being combined to form aseparate unit which is attached to the neck of said container. Y

11. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the like,comprising in combination a conoid, the lower portion being a truncatedparaboloid, the upper portion of said conoid having a hollow tubeattached at its base, extending downward and being slidably suspendedwithin the lower portion of said conoid, a resilient member reposing insurrounding relation to said tube providing the means .of normallymaintaining the upper portion of said conoid in sealing contact with theupper rim of said truncated paraboloid, a container having an outletneck with a shoulder at its base, saidneck being reciprocally insertedwithin said tube attached to the base of the upper portion of saidconoid, the lower portion of said conoid or truncated paraboloid beingattached to said shoulder at the base of said outlet neck, all of theparts being assembled in combination with said container to formsaid'closing device as a unitary part of said container. v

12. An automatic closing device for collapsible containers and the like,comprising in combination a conoid, the lower portion being a hollowtruncated paraboloid open at both ends, the upper end terminating in anarrow rim, the vertex of said conoid having a tubular extensionattached to its base, said extension being slidably inserted within thesaid truncated paraboloid, the said tubular extension having a dischargeorifice located in its side wall at the juncture with said vertex, aresilient member installed in surrounding relation to said tubularextension adapted to normally maintain said discharge orifice, beneaththe rim of and Withinthe confines of the said truncated paraboloid, acontainer having an outlet neck with a shoulder at its bas the said neckbeing inserted within said tubular extension, the said truncatedparaboloid being attached to said shoulder at the base of said outletneck, all of the parts being assembled in combination With said.container to form said closing device as a unitary part of saidcontainer. 7

CHARLES S. LOUDENSLAGER, SR.

CHARLES S. LOUDENSLAGER, JR.

